Flat-felled Seam (and 2 alternatives)

Step 5 Alternate 1: serge and topstitch

If you have a serger, instead of the trimming and pressing, you can simply serge off a quarter inch of your seam allowance, leaving 5-8th inch of serged edge. Press to one side and stitch in the same manner as the true flat-felled seam.

Comments

[Cross_]

It looks like Variants 1 and 2 don't enclose the seam, relying instead on overcasting to prevent fraying. This kind of defeats one of the purposes of the flat felled seam I think.

[rachel]

That's true, but very often the seam is used for the look and strength, and less for the anti-fraying properties. These last two are not true flat-felled seams but they are easier and faster if you don't have a flat-felled machine, which is often a worthwhile tradeoff.